All articles written by Richard Burgon MP on PoliticsHome.com

08 May Political parties

Starmer must go – or be responsible for handing Farage the keys to No 10

Labour has taken a hammering in these elections.

06 Mar Defence

Why The Iraq War Still Haunts Labour MPs

As the Iran conflict continues, the lessons and warnings from the 2003 invasion of Iraq and its long aftermath are shaping the response of Labour ministers and MPs.

02 May 2025 Political parties

Defeat in Runcorn was entirely avoidable – the Labour leadership must now change course

Labour’s defeat in Runcorn was entirely avoidable – and is the direct result of the party leadership’s political choices.

26 Sep 2024 Political parties

Where Are The Labour Left?

“The left isn’t going anywhere,” a young activist told a small, packed room at the Socialist Campaign Group (SCG) rally at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

10 Sep 2024 Social affairs

Why I voted against cutting the winter fuel allowance

Gordon Brown introduced the winter fuel allowance in 1997 to help tackle pensioner poverty. It was exactly this kind of progressive vision that, two years earlier, had led to me becoming a Labour Party member as a 15-year-old.

24 Oct 2023 Home affairs

Labour must now lead the call for a ceasefire to end this nightmare

Given the Government’s refusal to join the international call for a ceasefire, my Party should reflect public opinion and now lead the push for a ceasefire.

16 Jul 2021 Economy

Labour must lead the charge to get Britain to net-zero

As the United Nations secretary-general recently warned: when you are on the edge of the abyss your next step better be in the right direction. We are at that edge as far as climate breakdown is concerned.

07 May 2021 Political parties

Labour Left Calls On Leadership To Urgently Change Direction After Devastating Hartlepool By-Election Defeat

Keir Starmer needs to rapidly change direction to win back voters, according to those on Labour's left-wing, as they begin dissecting the catastrophic loss in the Hartlepool by-election and losses on English councils.

26 Mar 2021 Coronavirus

Greed will deepen vaccine inequity and prolong the Covid-19 pandemic

The UK government should remove barriers and back initiatives that would create the space for more manufacturers to enter the market to ensure a sustained supply of vaccines at low prices.

12 Oct 2020 Coronavirus

Boris Johnson’s leadership throughout this crisis has been reckless, we need to pursue a ‘zero Covid’ strategy

A ‘Zero Covid’ strategy would avoid the cycle of lockdowns by instead locking down cases and contacts instead of the whole country. If other countries can do it, there is no reason why we can’t too.

17 Jul 2020 Coronavirus

'Reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated': What's next for the Labour left?

Keir Starmer’s first 100 days as Labour leader have been something of a disappointment to those on the left of the party. Concerned about backtracking on the environment, the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey, and being outflanked on economic policy, what is the future for those who were firmly Team Corbyn? Sebastian Whale reports

06 Apr 2020 Political parties

Richard Burgon is latest Corbyn ally to be sacked as Keir Starmer finalises new Shadow Cabinet

Richard Burgon has been sacked from the Shadow Cabinet as Keir Starmer puts the finishing touches to his top team.

04 Apr 2020 Political parties

Angela Rayner sees off rivals to become Labour’s new deputy leader

Angela Rayner has been elected the new deputy leader of the Labour Party.

21 Feb 2020 Political parties

Blair is wrong, as Deputy Leader I’ll build a party with 1 million members

As Deputy Leader, I am committing not only to retaining and galvanising our 500,000 plus members - but to grow our membership to hit one million members

22 Sep 2019 Political parties

Boris Johnson’s empty promises won’t solve our prison crisis

Our prisons already have too few staff to safely manage the existing prison population, never mind any planned expansion, writes Richard Burgon MP

23 Sep 2018 Home affairs

The government must stop trying to do justice on the cheap

Cuts and privatisation are driving the justice crisis. Labour stands ready to undo the damage and restore order, writes shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon

21 Sep 2017 Home affairs

Labour will end the crisis in our justice sector

Disorder and injustice prevail across the justice sector. But Labour stand ready to solve this triple crisis, writes Richard Burgon